Dhaka cool on India shipping talks
India has repeatedly urged Bangladesh to hold a meeting of the two countries’ shipping secretaries, sending at least three diplomatic notes this year as Dhaka takes a cautious approach to resuming high-level talks.
In its latest note, India proposed three dates for the meeting by 1 October, officials familiar with the matter said. Bangladesh has yet to set a date and is unlikely to do so before Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s planned visit to India is scheduled.
The delay has also held up meetings of the Standing Committee under the Protocol on Inland Water
Transit and Trade (PIWTT) and the Inter-Governmental Committee overseeing the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports for Indian transshipment. The meetings are normally held together.
The last such meetings took place in Dhaka in 2023. No meetings have been held since Bangladesh’s political changeover on 5 August 2024.
Shipping Secretary Zakaria said India had sent a proposal but no date had been fixed.
“We are preparing for the meeting. However, the preparations need to progress further,” he told the media.
He said Bangladesh was reviewing its agreements and memoranda of understanding with India, adding that there had been little progress on the issues under the previous interim government.
Trade continues despite stalled talks
Despite the diplomatic pause, bilateral cargo movement through inland waterways has continued under the PIWTT.
Some 4.27 million tonnes of goods were transported between Bangladesh and India by waterways in the 2025-26 financial year.
However, cruise and tourist vessel services between the two countries have remained suspended since 2023. India has also not used Bangladeshi territory for transshipment since 2024.
The proposed talks are expected to cover transshipment through Chattogram and Mongla ports, coastal shipping, inland water routes, tourist vessels, land-port infrastructure and regional connectivity.
India’s High Commission in Dhaka sent notes on 28 April, 25 June and 11 August seeking the meetings.
Following the latest note, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry asked the Shipping Ministry for updates on several outstanding issues, including structures within 150 yards of the border, the condition of bilateral waterways, land-port problems and joint projects.
India has also invited Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam to Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue in New Delhi from 7-9 October.
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi is expected to meet the minister in Dhaka soon, when the proposed talks could also be discussed.
Bangladesh seeks changes
Bangladesh is preparing its own agenda for any talks, with agencies under the Shipping Ministry pushing for changes in several areas.
The Chattogram and Mongla port authorities want parts of the transshipment agreement reviewed, while the Bangladesh Land Port Authority plans to raise infrastructure issues at Bhomra and Burimari land ports.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority is preparing proposals on landing passes for vessel crews, additional charges imposed on Bangladeshi vessels in India, maintaining navigable water levels on key routes and designating shelters for Bangladeshi vessels during bad weather.
The Department of Shipping also wants to revive a proposal to ease Indian visa procedures for Bangladeshi seafarers working on ocean-going vessels.
Under the agreement allowing India to use Chattogram and Mongla ports, Bangladesh receives fees for facilitating the movement of Indian goods.
The arrangement drew controversy when heavy equipment for India’s Palatana power plant was transported through Ashuganj.
An Indian company has recently expressed interest in using Bangladesh for transshipment, but no decision has been taken.
